Last Week, Georgia native Melanie Oudin took home her first ever ITF title at the 2007 Kentucky International Junior Tennis Derby. Oudin’s win moved her World racking up to No. 37 and her U.S. ranking to No. 3.
Oudin was definitely playing some of her best tennis as she did not relinquish one set in all four of her matches. She also had not one but two big upsets in the tournament, coming in the round of 16 as she defeated No. 3 seed Elena Chernyakova, 7-5, 6-1. In the final round she defeated the No. 1 seed, Ksenia Pervak, 6-4, 6-1.
Another Georgia native who also has an impressive tournament was unseeded Jarmere Jenkins. Jenkins had three upsets over No. 3 Guillermo Rivera in the second round, No. 5 Cesar Ramirez in the quarterfinals, and No.1 Uladzimir Ignatik in the semifinals, to send him to the final round of then 2007 Kentucky International Junior Tennis Derby.
Congratulations to the following Southern junior players who have achieved top national ranking in 2007.
Boys' 18s
No 5. Rhyne Williams, Knoxville, TN
Girls' 18s
No 3. Melanie Oudin, Marietta, GA
Boys' 16s
No 1. Tennys Sandgren, Gallatin, TN
No 3. James Seal, Chattanooga, TN
Girls' 14s
No 1. Grace Min, Lawrenceville, GA
No 3. Whitney Kay, Alpharetta, GA